Count Brühl

attention, although they well knew that it would not be for long. Among the young ladies there was not however, one more beautiful, more coquettish, more vivacious, or better able to please, than th

hina, hopes of a brilliant future, her family name, all made the girl proud and self-willed. The older she grew the more difficult it was for her mother to control her. An only child and much petted, notwithstanding the Princess's

ped, Lady Frances was bored more than ever. The black dress, which she was obliged to put on, was becoming to her, but she

court, and she did not know what to do with herself. Walking to and fro she noticed a box and took it fr

ieces of paper. One could guess that t

locked the box and lay down on the sofa, looking at a little ring that glistened on her fin

r the ring, the door opened quietly and someone looked through it cautiously: the young lady turned her head, saw who it was, and rose from the sofa with an exclamation. The good-looking young

as if afraid at his a

beseech her forgive

e or artificial emotion. 'How could you do this, when there are so many people abou

have been waiting for hours under the stairs, in order to see you alone for

cried Frances. 'I don't much

comes,' said Watzdorf ta

st my will, as they would dispose of a piece of furniture. The

s run away

ia, where the Brandenburgian would stop us. Let us run! That is all very well, but how and with what? Yo

mother's

happiness for me in diamon

cruel you are to-day, you

don't possess myself,' said

don't l

l looked at hi

never be able to love anybody else, and because I

t his eyes o

e, you cannot be mine, and that I must give you up. Such is the logic of love i

one they give me; but that

Watzdorf. 'You do not wish t

catch us to-morrow if we fly today, you would be sent to K?nigstein

oking at this horrible life, at this despotism of a lackey. I say what I think, and that

be silent,' said the girl, 'instead of wishing to im

a lifetime, cheating them, and soiling ones

' said the girl laughing. 'I, a woman, I

it,' mutter

t out her h

myself; there is no hope for us--and if we could catch

and on his shoulder, and the

spered, 'one must be dru

issed it passionately. 'Frances, you don't love me; you lov

was silen

eaching me how to lie, in the meanwhile arousing in me a desire for sensation, distraction, lux

her eyes passionately. 'I was also a courtier before I loved you

hisper; they both seemed to forget about the whole world. Thei

t the same door by which Watzdorf had entered opened, and the threat

is sleeve. Her lips trembled and her eyes were full of awful anger; the girl turned and perceived the thunder-bolt look of her mother. B

did he become pale and stood silent lik

er: she breathed heavily, pressing her bosom with one

nd pressed it to his lips; the mother pulled it fro

Countess fell on the sofa--her daughter remained cold an

he, 'you dare to receiv

him!' answered

are to tel

I not say

untess

that good-for-nothing man, who is hardly tolerated

ould be happy and honest,'

ad!' cried

t standing on the table, and raised it to her lips. Cold and ironical resign

elf. 'To-morrow I shall order that door to be fastened, and I shall lo

mother might heap on her. The disdainful silence of her daughter made the Counte

tide him! I shall fall at the feet of the Princess, I sh

hope from him. I told him that I may not dispose of myself; that they would treat me like

to tell

n who would marry me, will

er threateningly but she was sile

The moment I try to secure for you with

rifice, dressed in brocade,' rejoined the girl l

resist the will of your mother and

whatever,' said t

hreateningly. 'I came to tell you a

ulkowski is married, consequently I must marry the other mini

d her mother. 'What could you have

e the most stupid and the most horrid. He or another is ju

name: I hate him! If he dares

wish him to come to nough

to speak to hi

aving noticed that she was five minutes

ss commanded you to come. You

s sat at another table in a separate room. That day the Prince supped alone with his consort. Padre Guarini sat on a stool apart to keep them company. Before the court went into mourning he would amuse the Prince by joking with Frosch and Horch, who usually would fight, while the Prince would laugh to encourage them, and be in his b

the serene and beautiful although cold face of her husband. The type of the Hapsburgs was not well represented in Josephine, who although sti

sped hands, the servants waiting. As Frederick sat down he caught sight of Frosch and Horch

ats and blue trousers. Frosch's wig was curled like a sheepskin, while Horch's hair was flat. Frosch stood in the position of the Colossus o

too noisy. The sight of them alone made the Prince happy, but he had another source of happiness in that Sulkowski and Brühl were such good friends. Brühl willingly resigned his appointment as Grand Marshal of the court, whic

ture was n

nd, and the latter being sure of the Pri

the opera, after Faustina, and after hunting. But all that was bound to return after the mourning was over. In Poland the Count Moszyn

ot change anything. But Saxony expected some improvements, and was soon disillusion

went to his apartment, Sulk

oking Padre Guarini. The Princess, having remained to talk to them for a time, retired

expecting something. The young girl entered without the leas

think of your future--I am wi

ing some improp

thankful to your

ure you before all, that your future husband, although not born in the Catholic faith

y. The Princess looked at her but fa

your mother; the man destined for your husband is very pious, of great ch

again at the girl

, so that you may get to know each o

he Princess; Frances resented being

the life of the girl, who looke

was sitting alone. After a moment's reflection she allowed him to be shown in. She received him in t

background of her black dress. Besides paleness there was no other sign of suffer

ssed that day with particular care. The sweet smile did not leave his too delicate face even for a moment. In

which she was sitting; she nodded slight

assumed a sad expression to be in ha

ver,' interrupted the young lady.

he cause,' said Brühl rais

ou. They commanded me to marry you, while I love another man; they command you

er?' said Brühl, with

oszynski; of this both she and her husband and everyone else, is

confess that I was

ld love is

ell me tha

onceal that I l

ho

d my secret.--Suffice it that I am

news for me!'

Could you not find another woman

him: Brühl g

l of the Princ

said the young lady. 'I unders

'I hope that I shall

inevitable, it would be well to prepare

ry to make

't forbid you to love Moszynski, for even were I to forbid you to do so, it would be useless.

are c

sincere, t

that words failed him. His situation became painful, while t

, I have been your admirer for a long time; that which you said about the Countess Moszynski was only a fancy, alread

e a matter of perfect indifference

t means s

my aversion, while wishing to a

his face w

e reception,' he said sighing. 'But I sh

I become a victim, I shall marry you, for

as sweetly as he could, wished to take hol

you go

e was sweet and serene as ever, and

oom, he met the Countess Kolowrath, who, before spea

een Frances

urn fr

she rec

not answ

one who is not welcom

--For many reasons I should no

is sure of the hand,' said Brühl. 'The approach of the wedding would give us a chance

untess

ible not to worship her, but she is proud and high-spirited like a goddess. If our old

th a sweet smile. When he entered his post-chaise,

so sweet to them all, that it is impossible to guess who succeeded in winning her heart, but her beauty

his thought

ts will make us friends. Then they know abou

ot notice that his post-chaise had s

him. The moment he alighted

re healthy than usual. His face was smiling ironically. Brühl entered the office, where

o look through some paper

e wante

ing-room. There, Padre Guarini, dresse